Spanish Court Upholds Sexual Assault Conviction Against Ex-Soccer Chief for World Cup Kiss
MADRID, June 25 (Reuters) – Spain’s High Court on Wednesday upheld the sexual assault conviction of disgraced former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for his unsolicited kiss of player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations, cementing a landmark verdict in Spain’s #MeToo movement.
The Ruling
The court:
- Confirmed Rubiales’ guilt for kissing Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony
- Rejected all appeals against the original conviction
- Fined Rubiales €10,000+ ($11,592) but dismissed coercion charges against him and three others
- Denied prosecutors’ requests for a 2.5-year prison sentence and retrial
Key Court Findings
Judges dismissed Rubiales’ defense that the kiss reflected “uncontrollable joy,” noting he:
✔ Showed restraint with other players and officials at the same event
✔ Had clear capacity to control his behavior
✔ Specifically targeted Hermoso despite her visible discomfort
“Since that emotion did not lead him to kiss other players or attendees, he could have restrained himself with the team captain,” the ruling stated.
Case Background
The August 2023 incident:
- Occurred during Spain’s World Cup victory celebrations in Sydney
- Sparked global outrage and protests across Spanish soccer
- Led to Rubiales’ resignation and federation reforms
- Became a flashpoint in Spain’s gender equality debates
Broader Impact
The verdict:
- Marks a milestone for Spain’s feminist movement
- Reinforces legal protections against non-consensual physical contact
- Follows recent Spanish laws toughening penalties for sexual offenses
Hermoso, who testified about feeling “vulnerable and victim of aggression,” welcomed the decision through her representatives.